Keeping Cool In Union County

UNION COUNTY – As the heat wave continues, Union County officials remind residents that resources are available for cooling off during extreme hot weather.

Residents are generally advised to stay indoors and keep activity to a low level. The sun’s heat easily penetrates windows, so shutting drapes, shades and curtains will help keep indoor spaces cooler during the day.

[smartads]

If there is no cooling available at home, relief can be found at a library, museum, mall, or any other cooled public space where seating is available.

Union County’s two swimming pools are open seven days a week. For recorded information on Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park, Rahway call 1-732-381-4045. For John Russell Wheeler Memorial Pool in Wheeler Park, Linden call 1-908-862-0977.

Spray parks are open for children at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, Phil Rizzuto Park in Union, and Snyder Park in Berkeley Heights, all this week and through the weekend from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside is open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For information on special activities call 1-908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Seniors citizens can visit their local senior center for relief. The following have advised the county that they have extended hours during the hot weather:

Casano Community Center, Roselle Park, open to 7 p.m. except on Fridays, when it is open until 5 p.m.

Cranford Community Center, open to 9:30 p.m.

O’Donnell-Dempsey, Elizabeth, open to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Roselle Community Center, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Steven Sampson, Elizabeth, open to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on resources for senior citizens, contact the Union County Division on Aging toll-free, at 1-888-280-8226.